Netherlands - May 2023

More than 1500 climate activists were arrested for blocking a motorway in the Hague as part of an Extinction Rebellion protest demanding an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Water cannons were fired at protesters. Police said that the purpose of the arrests was to end the A12 motorway’s blockade as protesting on this road is banned under regulations introduced by the mayor, and that most of those arrested were released with only 40 being prosecuted due to criminal offences, including vandalism and resisting arrest resulting in injury.

Sources: Telegraaf, Dutch Public Prosecution Service, Al Jazeera